How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor. - Page 52

mic209 · 02/23/2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilchris

I'm having issues getting a steady bubble count. I will get a bubble then a few seconds later 2 bubbles , then no bubbles for a few seconds and the cycle continues like that. I have my gauges set at 10 psi. I have a swagelok metering valve. Not sure which is bad, the metering valve or the regulator.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Have you tried turning the PSI up? Maybe 10 is too low for the check valve.

solitude127 · 02/23/2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilchris

I'm having issues getting a steady bubble count. I will get a bubble then a few seconds later 2 bubbles , then no bubbles for a few seconds and the cycle continues like that. I have my gauges set at 10 psi. I have a swagelok metering valve. Not sure which is bad, the metering valve or the regulator.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

If you have a check valve, it might be going bad and as stated above, maybe the PSI is too low for that specific check valve.

lilchris · 02/23/2018, 11:53 AM

Should I see a bubble in the counter chamber as soon as the metering valve open? I notice it takes a few seconds for the CO2 to get to the chamber.

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solitude127 · 02/23/2018, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilchris

Should I see a bubble in the counter chamber as soon as the metering valve open? I notice it takes a few seconds for the CO2 to get to the chamber.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

It depends in what the PSI breaking point of your check valve is, assuming you have one.

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alanle · 02/28/2018, 09:41 PM

Anyone using painball tank? I just built this one.

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salty joe · 03/01/2018, 06:06 AM

That's a handsome unit-I especially like the sky high shot. (:
Is the regulator two stage?

solitude127 · 03/01/2018, 10:33 AM

I never thought about using a paintball tank. How big is it and how long do you think it would last?

salty joe · 03/02/2018, 05:38 PM

Is this check valve/bubble counter any good?

https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Bubble-...bubble+counter

salty joe · 03/08/2018, 11:16 AM

I just wanted to give this a bump to ask again if the check valve/bubble counter in the previous post is any good.
If you guys in the know could please take a look and let me know, I'd appreciate it.

The check valve is the last part I need.

LQT · 03/08/2018, 02:30 PM

That Ista bubble counter is the one most commonly used. However, they should be swapped out every year IMO as I don’t trust the quality of it’s internal check valve. I’m not a fan of those and would rather use the bubble counter on my CaRx. Having that bubble counter fluid fluid that close to my expensive needle valve makes me nervous. Intead, I rely on the CaRx bubble counter and attach one of these, more reliable CO2 check valves inline.

https://www.marinedepot.com/Dennerle...COCACV-vi.html

salty joe · 03/08/2018, 03:31 PM

Thanks a ton!

salty joe · 03/11/2018, 06:21 PM

Does the direction of flow matter with the Burkett 6011 solenoid? I couldn't find an arrow on the solenoid or any info regarding flow direction on this thread.

LQT · 03/11/2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty joe

Does the direction of flow matter with the Burkett 6011 solenoid? I couldn't find an arrow on the solenoid or any info regarding flow direction on this thread.

On the Burkert 6011 solenoid valve, “P” is the inlet and “A” is the outlet. See post #1 in the beginning of this thread where Alan goes over the assembly of parts.

alanle · 03/11/2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty joe

That's a handsome unit-I especially like the sky high shot. (:

Is the regulator two stage?

It’s a single stage mini reg. It was designed for kegerator.

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alanle · 03/11/2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

I never thought about using a paintball tank. How big is it and how long do you think it would last?

It can last 2-3 months on a 20ish gallons.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

salty joe · 03/12/2018, 04:53 AM

Thanks again, LQT. I did search Burkett on this thread, but that first post didn't come up...really appreciate the help.

alanle, outstanding thread to build a first class regulator. Thank you!

salty joe · 03/17/2018, 12:46 PM

The little 'weatherhead' on my Burkert solenoid says, "0-250V AC/DC" which seems odd, seems like it should be either AC or DC. IDK. Anyway the cord has three wires- red, black and green. It was sold as AC. I need to connect a plug to the cord. Green is ground but I'm not sure about the black and red wires. Any help to sort this out would be much appreciated.

I couldn't find the answer when I searched this thread, hoping someone can help.

LQT · 03/18/2018, 04:04 PM

Black is always negative and red is always positive.

salty joe · 03/18/2018, 08:07 PM

Yeah with DC, but what throws me is this is supposed to be an AC solenoid. It has a ground wire and everything I've goofed with that was DC only had a red positive wire and a black negative wire-just those two.
With AC, the black is hot with a white neutral and green ground. So the three wire setup makes me believe it is an AC solenoid. If that's the case, maybe it doesn't matter how the black and red wires are connected to hot and neutral.

huseMN · 03/19/2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilchris

I'm having issues getting a steady bubble count. I will get a bubble then a few seconds later 2 bubbles , then no bubbles for a few seconds and the cycle continues like that. I have my gauges set at 10 psi. I have a swagelok metering valve. Not sure which is bad, the metering valve or the regulator.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I am having this same issue with sporadic bubble counts. I also have mine setup via my apex and programmed to turn the solenoid off when it reaches 7.1PH however even when the outlet is off bubbles still occasional get into the reactor and usually pushes the PH .1 lower than the Apex setpoint. Is this normal?

solitude127 · 03/19/2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huseMN

I am having this same issue with sporadic bubble counts. I also have mine setup via my apex and programmed to turn the solenoid off when it reaches 7.1PH however even when the outlet is off bubbles still occasional get into the reactor and usually pushes the PH .1 lower than the Apex setpoint. Is this normal?

Do you have a check valve on your CO2 line? If so, how old is it? Inconsistent bubbles may be due to a faulty check valve.

huseMN · 03/19/2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

Do you have a check valve on your CO2 line? If so, how old is it? Inconsistent bubbles may be due to a faulty check valve.

Yes, I do have a check valve, the one that came with my GEO 624 Calcium reactor, 3 months old.

Shall I assume that if the check valve is working and the Burket Solenoid is working properly and in the off state that there should be no CO2 Gas entering the reactor?

solitude127 · 03/20/2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huseMN

Yes, I do have a check valve, the one that came with my GEO 624 Calcium reactor, 3 months old.

Shall I assume that if the check valve is working and the Burket Solenoid is working properly and in the off state that there should be no CO2 Gas entering the reactor?

What's the output pressure of your regulator? Also, what the breaking point of your check valve? If the output pressure of the regulator is close to the breaking point of the check valve, then you might get inconsistent bubbles as well.

When the solenoid closes, there is still gas in the line and still entering the reactor. For my Burkert, after the solenoid turns off, the bubble slow drastically and in about 15 - 20 seconds no bubbles at all.

huseMN · 03/20/2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

What's the output pressure of your regulator? Also, what the breaking point of your check valve? If the output pressure of the regulator is close to the breaking point of the check valve, then you might get inconsistent bubbles as well.

When the solenoid closes, there is still gas in the line and still entering the reactor. For my Burkert, after the solenoid turns off, the bubble slow drastically and in about 15 - 20 seconds no bubbles at all.

Good to know, what should the output of the regulator be, I think I am at 50PSI right now. Out of town so can't confirm. Is that too high?

salty joe · 03/21/2018, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQT

Black is always negative and red is always positive.

I just talked to the people at Burkert and sure enough, it's a DC solenoid-it takes 24V. They said the ground doesn't need to be connected. I've yet to see a wall wart with a ground...Why the 'weatherhead' on the solenoid says 0-250V AC/DC is beyond me. I must admit the label on the weatherhead did say 24V DC but had some crud on it and was hard to read after I cleaned it...

This was sold as an AC solenoid. I sure am glad the person who ruined their solenoid posted and I found it when I searched the thread. Hooking this up to AC would be such an easy mistake to make.

Thanks all.

03/01/2018, 06:06 AM	#1281
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	That's a handsome unit-I especially like the sky high shot. (: Is the regulator two stage? __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/01/2018, 10:33 AM	#1282
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I never thought about using a paintball tank. How big is it and how long do you think it would last? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

03/02/2018, 05:38 PM	#1283
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Is this check valve/bubble counter any good? https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Bubble-...bubble+counter __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/08/2018, 11:16 AM	#1284
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	I just wanted to give this a bump to ask again if the check valve/bubble counter in the previous post is any good. If you guys in the know could please take a look and let me know, I'd appreciate it. The check valve is the last part I need. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/08/2018, 02:30 PM	#1285
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	That Ista bubble counter is the one most commonly used. However, they should be swapped out every year IMO as I don’t trust the quality of it’s internal check valve. I’m not a fan of those and would rather use the bubble counter on my CaRx. Having that bubble counter fluid fluid that close to my expensive needle valve makes me nervous. Intead, I rely on the CaRx bubble counter and attach one of these, more reliable CO2 check valves inline. https://www.marinedepot.com/Dennerle...COCACV-vi.html __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

02/23/2018, 11:53 AM	#1278
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	Should I see a bubble in the counter chamber as soon as the metering valve open? I notice it takes a few seconds for the CO2 to get to the chamber. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

02/28/2018, 09:41 PM	#1280
alanle Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 307	Anyone using painball tank? I just built this one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/08/2018, 03:31 PM	#1286
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Thanks a ton! __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/11/2018, 06:21 PM	#1287
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Does the direction of flow matter with the Burkett 6011 solenoid? I couldn't find an arrow on the solenoid or any info regarding flow direction on this thread. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/12/2018, 04:53 AM	#1291
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Thanks again, LQT. I did search Burkett on this thread, but that first post didn't come up...really appreciate the help. alanle, outstanding thread to build a first class regulator. Thank you! __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/17/2018, 12:46 PM	#1292
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	The little 'weatherhead' on my Burkert solenoid says, "0-250V AC/DC" which seems odd, seems like it should be either AC or DC. IDK. Anyway the cord has three wires- red, black and green. It was sold as AC. I need to connect a plug to the cord. Green is ground but I'm not sure about the black and red wires. Any help to sort this out would be much appreciated. I couldn't find the answer when I searched this thread, hoping someone can help. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

03/18/2018, 04:04 PM	#1293
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Black is always negative and red is always positive. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

03/18/2018, 08:07 PM	#1294
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Yeah with DC, but what throws me is this is supposed to be an AC solenoid. It has a ground wire and everything I've goofed with that was DC only had a red positive wire and a black negative wire-just those two. With AC, the black is hot with a white neutral and green ground. So the three wire setup makes me believe it is an AC solenoid. If that's the case, maybe it doesn't matter how the black and red wires are connected to hot and neutral. __________________ Time to roll the dice.